Apparatus for feeding glass ribbon



P. BOUSSEAU ET AL APPARATUS FOR FEEDING GLASS RIBBON Dec. 30', 1952 Filed March 29, 1950 P. BOUSSEAU ETAL 3,335

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING GLASS RIBBON Dec. 30, 1952 Filed March 29, 1950 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Inventors g Attorh y Patented Dec. 30, 1952 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING GLASS RIBBON Pierre Bousseau, Thourotte, and Robert Touvay, Paris, France, assignors to Pilkington Brothers Limited, Liverpool, England, a corporation of Great Britain Application March 29, 1950, Serial N 0. 152,718 In France September 8, 1949 13 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for actin simultaneously on the two faces of a continuously advancing ribbon of glass.

In apparatus of this nature, there are disposed at intervals between the working tools driving rollers, which have the object of ensuring the advancing movement of the glass in the longitudinal direction thereof.

These rollers are arranged in pairs, the one roller of each pair supporting the ribbon of glass, and the other roller, located above the first roller being situated in a vertical plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of advance of the ribbon of glass, the upper generatrix of the lower roller being sit uated in the same plane as the surface of the lower operating tools. The rollers of each pair rotate in opposite directions to each other, exerting a certain pressure on the ribbon of glass. In this apparatus the pressure is exerted by the weight of th upper roller, and generally speaking is not regulable, and in any case it is always at least equal to the pressure exerted by the weight of the roller.

Th invention relates to a'means permitting of regulation and of precise measurement of the pressure of the rollers on the ribbon of glass and of the accomplishment of a pressure which may be as weak or as strong as desired, irrespective of the weight of the roller, and such pressure may even be greater than that exerted by theroller under the efiect of its own weight.

Now it has been recognised that advantages are obtained by precisely regulating this pressure, and that, generally speaking, such pressure should be proportionately less as the ribbon being treated is thinner, i. e., more fragile.

The invention not only permits of regulation of the pressure in accordance with the thickness of the ribbon, but it also enables this pressure to be precisely adjusted according to a predetermined scale. It is thus possible, after the best pressure conditions suitable for all possible thicknesses have'been determined by experience, to bring about at any time, without trial and error, the pressure conditions which are suitable for a given thickness of the glass.

The regulable pressure may be applied to the roller by way of a deformable connection, and the said pressure may be measured by the degree of deformation of the said connection when the pressure is applied thereto.

The invention accordingly comprises in or for an apparatus for grinding or polishing the two faces simultaneously of a ribbon of glass which is adapted to be advanced continuously through the apparatus by means of driving rollers arranged in pairs, the rollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides ofthe glass, a pressure-applying device for applying a regulable and determinable pressure to one roller of each pair in the direction of the opposing roller of the pan.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, two forms of embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows, somewhat diagrammatically, a view in section, perpendicular to the axis of the roller, of on embodiment according to the invention mounted at one end of the roller shaft, an identical arrangement being mounted at the other end of the shaft.

Fig. 2 is a similar view through the second form of embodiment.

These embodiments are applied to an apparatus in which the ribbon of glass i is moved horizontally by the rollers 2 and 2', the upper roller 2 bein the roller transmitting the pressure and the roller 2' the opposing roller. This pressure is exerted at each end of the roller 2 on its bearmgs.

In Fig. 1 the end of the shaft 3 of the roller 2 rotates in a bearing not shown in th drawing, which bearing is integral with a housing 4. It is on this housing that the pressure is exerted. The housing is movable vertically in such a way as to permit the roller 2 to bear on the ribbon of glass irrespective of the thickness of the latter. For this purpose it is furnished with shoes 5, which slide along two guideways, the guide faces of which are designated 6. The rotary movement of the roller 2 is obtained in the following manner:

The vertical shaft 1 of an endless screw 8 has a rotary movement imparted thereto by a motor not shown. The endless screw 8 engages with a toothed wheel 9 which, by means of a gear train l8, Hi1, transmits its rotary movement to the shaft 3 of the roller 2.

In order to permit of vertical displacement of the housing 4 in accordance with the thickness of the ribbon of glass the driving shaft 1 possesses longitudinal grooves 1a, which engage in corresponding grooves in the hub of the endless screw 8. The lower roller 2' can be loose on its shaft, or it can also be mechanically actuated bar at similar gear system engaged by the same s at I.

The pressure is obtained by a vertical force applied to a rod H and transmittedto the pressure element by way of the housing 4 through the medium of a resilient connection constituted by the springs 12 and 2|.

The rod II carries a reciprocable member l3 located between the two springs. The spring I? bears at its lower part against the housing 4, and

3 the spring 2| bears with its upper part against a cap Hid screwed on to the vertical extension is of the housing 4.

The rod H terminates at its upper part in a thread, and the vertical force applied to the rod H is obtained by exerting a turning moment on the shaft I4, which is transmitted to the pinion l6 by the pinion [5, The pinion 16, which acts as nut for the rod II, is held between the bearings 11, which are integral with the frame of the apparatus. Rotation of the pinion E6 accordingly brings about displacement of the rod l I towards the top or the bottom, the lat-. ter being prevented from turning by reason of the rectangular form of the member [3 and of the part l8 which acts as'guide therefor.

In its downward movement the member l3 compresses the spring 12', the action of which is added to that of the weight of the roller 2. On the other hand upon its upward movement it is the spring 2! which is compressed and thus relieves the weight of the roller. The, more the spring 2| is compressed, the smaller is the pressure which is exerted on the ribbon of glass. There is a certain state of compression of the spring 2| which balances, the weight of the roller 2. and of elements attached to the same. At this moment the pressure on the ribbon of glass reaches zero, and if the rod ll continues to be displaced upwardly the roller is lifted above the ribbon. It is possible, therefore, if the springs have been suitably calculated to regulate the pressure on the ribbon from a zero pressure up to any pressure as desired. The mechanism transmitting the force being irreversible, the latter is maintained even when the turning moment ceases to be applied to the shaft It.

The pressure is measured and indicated by an indicator I!) carried by the reciprocable member l3, movable in front of a scale 20 integral with the housing 4.

It is obvious that, the rollers being in contact with the ribbon, the pressure indicated will vary, on the one hand according to the thickness of the ribbon of glass, this lifting more or less the housing 4, and on the other hand according to the turning moment applied to the shaft I l, which causes to a greater or smaller extent a downward movement of the rod H. These two variable factors both modify the tension of the springs, but to one position of the indicator IS in front of the scale 29 there will always correspond one pressure. It will be possible, therefore, irrespective of the thickness of the ribbon of glass, to regulate the pressure to a given value by manipulation of the rod l i.

It is possible to regulate the pressures on the two bearings of the same roller either separately or conjunctively.

In Fig. 2 the pressure is applied to the roller through the medium of aconneotion which is deformable by articulation. The actuating mechanism for the rollers remains the same as before. in this case the force is exerted by a weight, and it is transmitted to the housing t by a lever and an articulated rod, which constitute the deformable connection. The housing 4 is suspended by a rod '2! from the end of a beam 22 capable of rockingon a knife edge 23. Integral with thelever; 22;, and parallel to this lever, there is provided a graduated scale 24, along which there can be displaced a weight 25 furnished with a runner 26. Inaccordance with the fact as to whetherthe weight 25 is to the.

right or the left of the knife edge 23 it will load or relieve the roller, and it is possible, therefore, by reason of its displacements, to regulate the pressure of the roller on the ribbon of glass from a zero pressure up to any pressure as desired. Opposite the runner there can be read on the scale the pressure exerted. As in the form of embodiment'previously described, each bearing of the. roller can be furnished with a regulating device. It is also possible, with the object of'simplifying the operation, to combine the two hearings. in such a way as to make use of only one regulating device, which will preferably. be disposed on the tool-operating side of the apparatus.

In the two forms of embodiment described the measuring scales can be graduated in pressure; or the graduation can be set up in millimetres of thickness of the ribbon, in such a way that-for a given thickness of the ribbon, for example 5 mm., the corresponding marking 5 will be-that at which therunnerrequiresto be, placed to; obtain the pressure-found; to be the best for a ribbon of this thickness.

Various modifications and changes in details of construction of; the specific embodiments described and illustrated hereinmay, of course, bemade without departing: from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus forgrinding or polishing the two faces simultaneously of a ribbon of glass, driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatus for advancinga ribbon of glass; continuously in the longitudinal direction therethrough, therollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of a ribbon of glass when the said glass traverses the apparatus, means for producing a variable pressure, deformable means for transmitting pressure from said pressure-producing means to one roller of each said pair of rollers in a direction towards the second roller of said pair of rollers, and means for, indicating the degree of deformation of said transmitting. means when pressure is transmitted thereby.

2. In an apparatus for grinding or polishing the two faces simultaneously of a ribbon of. glass, driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatus for advancing a ribbonof'glass continuously in the longitudinal direction therethrough, the rollers of each pair being. disposed on opposite sides ofa ribbon of glass when the said glass'traverses the apparatus, means for producing a variable pressure, deformable means for transmitting pressure from said pressure-producing means to one roller of each said pair of rollers in a direction towards the second roller of said pair of .rollers, and means for translating into desired terms the degree of deformation of said deformable means.

when pressure is transmitted thereby.

3. In an apparatus for grinding or polishing the two faces simultaneously of, a. ribbon of glass, driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatus for advancing a, ribbon of glass continuously in the longitudinal direction therethrough, th 'rollers of each pair being, disposed on opposite sides of a ribbon of glass when the said glasstraverses the apparatus, means for producing a variable and regulable pressure, a deformable connection including oppositely acting springs for transmitting an exactly determinable positive or negative pressure fromsaid pressure-producing means to the upper roller of each said pair of rollers in a. direction towards the lower roller of said pairof rollers for the purpose ofaugmenting or relieving the weight ofsaid upper roller, and means operated by said deformable connection for translating into desired terms the degree of pressure transmitted by said connection to each said roller.

4. In an apparatus for grinding or polishing the two faces simultaneously of a ribbon of glass, driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatus for advancing a ribbon of glass continuously in the longitudinal direction therethrough, the rollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of a ribbon of glass when the said glass traverses the apparatus, means for producing a variable and regulable pressure, and means for transmitting an exactly determinable pressure from said pressure-producing means to one roller of each said pair of rollers in a direction towards the second roller of said pair of rollers, said pressure transmitting means comprising for each pair of rollers at each end thereof a housing supporting the said first roller at its respective end, a spring bearing against said housing in a direction towards said second roller of said pair of rollers, a second spring bearing against said housing in a direction opposite to said first spring and a reciprocable member within said housing, said reciprocable member being connected with said pressure-producing means and being movable between said two springs to augment the weight of said first roller when said member is moved against said first spring and to relieve the weight of said first roller when said member is moved against said second spring.

5. In an apparatus for grinding or polishing the two faces simultaneously of a ribbon of glass, driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatus for advancing a ribbon of glass continuously in the longitudinal direction therethrough, the rollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of a ribbon of glass when the said glass traverses the apparatus, means for producing a variable and regulable pressure, means for transmitting an exactly determinable pressure from said pressureproducing means to one roller of each said pair of rollers in a direction towards the second roller of said pair of rollers, said pressure transmitting means comprising for each pair of rollers at each end thereof a housing supporting the said first roller at its respective end, a spring bearing against said housing in a direction towards said second roller of said pair of rollers, a second spring bearing against said housing in a direction opposite to said first spring and a reciprocable member within said housing, said reciprocable member being connected with said pressure-producing means and being movable between said two springs to augment the weight of said first roller when said member is moved against said first spring and to relieve the weight of said first roller when said member is moved against said second spring, and means operated by said pressure transmitting means for translating into desired terms the degree of pressure transmitted by said transmitting means to each said roller.

6. In an apparatus for grinding or polishing the two faces simultaneously of a ribbon of glass, driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatus for advancing a ribbon of glass continuously in the longitudinal direction therethrough, the rollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of a ribbon of glass when the said glass traverses the apparatus, means for producing a variable and regulable pressure, means for transmitting an exactly determinable pressure from said pressure producing means to one roller of each said pair of rollers in a direction towards 6,- the second roller of said pair of rollers, said pressure transmitting means comprising for each pair of rollers at each end thereof a housing supporting the said first roller at its respective end, a spring bearing against said housing in a direction towards said second roller of said pair of rollers, a second spring bearing against said housing in a direction opposite to said first spring and a reciprocable member within said housing, said reciprocable member being connected with said pressure-producing means and being movable between said two springs to augment the weight of said first roller when said member is moved against said first spring and to relieve the weight of said first roller when said member is moved against said second spring, and a pointer mounted on, said reciprocable member and a stationary graduated scale cooperating with said pointer for indicating in terms determined by the graduation of said scale the degree of pressure transmitted by said transmitting means to each said roller.

'7. In an apparatus for grinding or polishing the two facessimultaneously of a ribbon of glass, driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatus for advancing a ribbon of glass continuously in the longitudinal direction theretnrough, the rollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of a ribbon of glass when the said glass traverses the apparatus, means for producing a variable and regulable pressure, an angular housing for each said pair of rollers at each end thereof supporting one roller of said pair of rollers at its respective end, a spring bearing against said housing in a direction towards the second roller of each said pair of rollers, a second spring bearing against said housing in a direction opposite to said first spring, and an angular reciprocable member within said housing, said reciprocable member being movable between said two springs to augment the weight of said first roller when said member is moved against said first spring and to relieve the weight of said first roller when said member is moved against said second spring, said means for producing a variable pressure comprising a manually operable bevel gear, a second bevel gear meshing with said first bevel gear and having an internal thread therein, and a rod integral with said reciprocable member and threaded to engage with the internal thread in said second bevel gear for converting rotary movement imparted to said first bevel gear into linear movement of said reciprocable member.

8. In an apparatus for grinding or polishing the two faces simultaneously of a ribbon of glass, driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatus for advancing a ribbon of glass continuously in the longitudinal direction therethrough, the rollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of a ribbon of glass when the said glass traverses the apparatus, means for producing a variable and regulable pressure, an angular housing for each said pair of rollers at each end thereof supporting one roller of said pair of rollers at its respective end, a spring bearing against said housing in a direction towards the second roller of each said pair of rollers, a second spring bearing against said housing in a direction opposite to said first spring, an angular reciprocable member within said housing, said reciprocable member being movable between said two springs to augment the weight of said first roller when said member is moved against said first spring and to relieve the weight of said first roller when said member is moved against said second spring, said means for producing a variass-gees able and i 'egulable pressure comprising a man-- uall'y' operable be'vel' gear, a ScSondeve gear meshing with said first bevel gear and having an internal thread therein, and a rbd integral withsaid reciprocable member and threade'd to engage with the internal thread in" saidsecond bevel gear for converting rotary movement imparted to said first bevel gear into linear movement ofsaid reciprocable member, andniea-ris association with said reciprocable member for translating' into desired terms the degree or linear movement of said reciplo'cabl'e member;

9. In an apparatus for grindingflor' polishing the twofaces simultaneously of a ribbon of g1 s,- driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apps: ratus for advancing a ribbon of glass continuously in the longitudinal directionther etlirough;the

rollers of each pair being disposed" on opposite sides of a ribbon of glass whenthe said glass traverses the apparatus, means for prdducinga variable and regulable pressure, a deformable connection including an articulated system'- for transmitting a positive or negative exactly determinable pressure fromsaid pressm-e produeing means to the upper roller of each said-pair of rollers in a direction towards thelo'wer roller of said pair of rollers for the purpose of augmenting or relieving the weight'of said upper roller, and means operated by said deformable connection for translatinginto desired terms the" degree of pressure transmitted by said connection t'o each said roller.

10. In an apparatus for grinding or polishing the two faces simultaneously of a ribbon of glass, driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatusfor advancing a ribbon of glass" continuously in the longitudinal direction therethrough, the rollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of a ribbon of glass'when the said glass traverses the apparatus, means for producing'f a variable and regulable pressure, and means'for transmitting an exactly determinable pressure from said pressure-producing means to one roller of each said pair of rollers in adirectiontow-ards the second-roller of said pair of rollers; said-pres? sure transmitting means comprising foreach said pair of rollers a housing supporting thesa-id first roller, a pivoted beam, arodarticulatedto said housing nd to said beam laterally of the pivot ofsaid beam, and a Weight slidable along said beam to augment the weight of said first roller when said weight is moved in one direction along said for advancing a ribbon of glass continuously in" the longitudinal direction ther'ethrough, the

rollers of each pair being disposedon opposite" sides of a ribbon of glass when the said" glass traverses the apparatus, means fcr'produc'ing'a' variable and regulable pressure, means rortraris: mitting an exactly determinable pressure" from" said pressure-producing means t'o-one roller of each said pair of rollers in a direction towards the second roller of said pair of rollers; said pressure transmitting means comprising for each-said pair of rollers a housing supporting the said first roller, a pivoted beam, a rod articulated to said housing and to said beam laterally of the pivot of said beam, and a weight slidable" along said beamv to augment the weight'of said first roller said weight is moved the direction along said beam was from said pivot and to relieve the Wlgh'tiof said first roller when said Weight is moved" in the opposite direction along said beam beyond said pivot, and means operated by the said pressure transmitting means for translating into desired terms the degree of pressure transmitted by said transmitting means.

12 In an apparatus for grinding or polishingthe two' faces simultaneously of a'- ribbon of glass,

driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatusfor advancing a ribbon of glass continuously in the longitudinal direction therethrough, the

rollersof each pair beingdisposed on opposite sides or" a ribbon of glass when the said glass traverses the apparatus, means for producing a variable and reg'ulable pressure, and means" for transmitting an exactly determinable pressure from said'pressure-producing' mea'ns'to one roller of each said pair of rollers inadirectiontowards the second ro'llerof said pair of rollers, said pressure transmitting meahscomfiarisi-fig, f'or' each said pair of rollers a housing supporting the said first roller, a pivoted graduated beam, a rod' articulated to said housing and to said beam laterally of the pivot of said beam, and a weight slidable along said beam to augment the weight of said first roller when said Weight is moved in one direction along said beam away from said pivot and to relieve the weight of said first roller when said weight is moved in the opposite direction along said beam beyond said pivot, said weight co-operating with the scale on said beam to indicate in terms determined by the graduation of said scale the degree of pressure transmitted to each said roller by said transmitting means.

13. In an apparatus for grinding or polishing the two faces simultaneously of a ribbon of glass, driving rollers arranged in pairs in the apparatus for advancing a ribbon of glass continuously in the longitudinal direction therethrough, the rollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of a ribbon of glass when the said glass traverses the apparatus, deformable means for transmitting a variable and regulable pressure to one of said rollers of each pair of rollers, and means for indicating the degree of deformation of said deformable means-when pressure is'transmitted thereby. w

PIERRE BOUSSEAU. ROBERT TOUVAY.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,713,678 Seibert May21, 1929 1,714,246 Seibert May 21', 1929 1,729,493 Waldron Sept. 24', 1929 1,907,446 Schick May 9,1933 1,932,305 E'scole i Oct. 24, 1933 2,130,255 Waldron et a1 --Sept."13, 1938 2,187,462 Mulholland Jan. 16, 1940 2,212,219 Wood Aug. 20, 1940 2,230,670 Sieger Feb. 4, 1941 2,297,975 Nachtman Oct: 6, 1942 2,358,572 Hamilton Sept. 19, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 355,129 Germany Janna 1922 618,016 Great Britain Feb. 15, 1949 

